Episode 221: How Do I Become A Successful Freelance Translator?

Episode 220: How to Use a Website to Market Your Translation Services

10/07/2019

Episode 222: Where to Find Translation Work for Beginning Translators

10/21/2019

Episode 221: How Do I Become A Successful Freelance Translator?

When you’re just starting out, each hurdle in your path will seem like the most difficult challenge you’ll ever face. The way I have overcome that terror? Plans and action. So, in this episode I’m going to speak to all of the new and aspiring freelance linguists and hopefully shed some much needed light on the dark path of freelancing that you’ve marked as your road to freedom.

Being fluent is only the first step in becoming a professional translator or interpreter. Like any other profession, it requires practice, experience, and training. There’s no one path to success, but I give you proven guidelines in this episode.

I’ve compiled my top eight tips for those looking to become a successful translator. These tips will not guarantee that you get into the industry immediately, but they should help you avoid mistakes and speed up this process. All you have to do to get the checklist is to click below to sign up.

Important tips mentioned in this episode:

“Entry Level Position, Experience Required”
- Gain experience from internships with translation companies, volunteer for charities, operate as a crowd-sourced translator (unpaid), participate in local translation/interpreting classes, work with ESOL student programs
- Provide dirt-cheap services to freelance clients on Fiverr, or Upwork to boost your portfolio
Certified in X,Y, and Z
- Fast-track to building credibility
- Even non-language-related certifications provide doorways into niche industries as an expert of the field, and therefore the language
Pick a Niche & Stick with It
- Learning industry-specific terms mold you into a specialized asset
- Medicine, business, government, education, etc.
Sell Yourself
- Digitize you and your services with a website or blog, then join your community
- Pro Tip: Professionals know their rates/offerings, amateurs have no clue what to charge – reach out to your peers or browse other listings for direction on how to set up your own rates
Computation is Key
- Translating requires computer programs for maximum efficiency and speed
Strength in Numbers
- Joining a professional organization supplies you with credibility, a network of peers, certification opportunities, and many other great resources including the listing of your information in their directory

Useful links mentioned:

I know how firsthand just how difficult it is to take the leap into freelancing. It is certainly much easier returning to the security of office work.

That’s why it is so important throughout your journey to believe in yourself, even when facing the most complicated situations. Remember, when you finally overcome all those initial hardships you will become a confident, independent, free person following a unique vision of your very own.

To help you on your journey I’ve compiled The Top 8 Tips for Aspiring Freelance Translators. While these tricks won’t guarantee your immediate success, they will help you avoid simple beginner’s mistakes and speed up the process just a bit. Now all that’s left to do is sign up below, and you’ll be on your way to freelance translator greatness.

P.S. Keep your eyes open for a free webinar coming up in just a few weeks where I will discuss The 5 Essential Investments to Starting and Growing a Freelance Translation Business.

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